Page 68 of Spoil
Except Daniel’s low voice and Danny’s excited giggles carry easily from the kitchen. I can hear pots and pans as well, so I assume they’re making breakfast. Every morning has been like this for the last six months. Danny’s an early riser and doesn’t have the patience to entertain herself in the morning, but Daniel and I will get up and entertain her based on who has the energy that morning. When Daniel works last at The Club, I get up with her so he can sleep in.
Being a stay-at-home mom took a lot of effort getting used to it. The first few months, I stressed because I felt like I wasn’tdoing enough. Daniel has a housekeeper who comes once a week to deep clean and meal prep, so my days went from working two jobs and staying home with Danny to only staying home with Danny. We explored museums and art galleries and everything the Washington DC area has to offer, but I still struggled to feel like I was doing enough.
Daniel’s patient, constant reassurance that I could do - or not do - whatever I wanted to, helped me rebuild my confidence and figure out how to shed the guilt and enjoy the lifestyle that The Club afforded us.
A few times a month, Danny will sleep over with Cara, or Serenity and Cammy, or Cassidy and her son, Elijah, so we can have a date night or a night at The Envelope. I’m still not kinky enough to join anyone else, but we have been enjoying the voyeur rooms where people can see us, but we can’t see them. I think that’s the perfect level of kink for me - letting others watch as my pleasure Dom brings me to orgasm as many times as he thinks I can handle.
Serenity, Declan, Harrison and Cassidy have all become the found family I never knew existed. Ser and Cass are like sisters to me - true sisters. They love me and put me first. They ask about my day, about what I’m reading, and about the museums we go to. They take me out for manis and pedis and brunch. They don’t judge me for not working, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I never have to worry about them with Daniel. They respect me too much, even if Ser wasn’t happily shacked up with the grumpy Declan, who only shares soft smiles with her. They treat Daniel like a brother, and love me like sisters should. It’s another adjustment I’ve had to get used to, but now that I have, I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Lately, though, I’ve been extra tired, so I’m happy to indulge this morning with a slow wake up. A slow smile spreads across my face. Never in my twenty-eight years on this planet did I everthink I would be so happy; so loved. I wake up every morning with my heart so full of gratitude it aches sometimes. And this morning is no different.
A few moments later, the bedroom door creaks open, and soft socked feet shuffle towards the bed. I sit up and push to lean against the headboard, rubbing at my tired eyes and smiling at my beautiful family.
“What’s all this?” I ask. Normally, even when they’re up before me making breakfast, we eat in the kitchen or dining room.
Daniel helps Danny to gently set a tray down on my lap. On it is a tiny vase with a single wildflower in it - chicory I think - a small glass of orange juice, a waffle with some strawberries on it, but what really catches my eye is the small black box in the middle of it all.
My jaw drops as I look up at Daniel. His face sports a dark five-o’clock shadow because he hasn’t shaved yet, and his hair is a little messy from bed, but the smile across his face still steals my breath away.
Tray safely on my lap, Danny takes a step back, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Open it, Mommy!” she squeals, her small body vibrating.
I look back up at Daniel, who simply nods in confirmation.
Shaking, I pick up the small box and flip it open. In it lies a gorgeous, way too big yellow diamond.
“The waffles were my idea!” Danny shouts, scrambling onto the bed at my legs so she can sit on the opposite side of me.
Daniel nods. “They were. And they were a great idea. Danny and I have been working on this for a few months now. We thought about taking you somewhere special to propose, but that didn’t feel right. When Danny suggested waffles, I knew that was it. FaceTimeing with you guys the first time you made waffles was the first time this really felt like a family.”
Daniel takes the box from my shaking hands, and tears start streaming down my cheeks. I will my lungs not to forget their job as Daniel takes the ring from the box and finds my left hand.
“Do I need to repeat what I told you all those months ago? Or can I just ask you to marry me? Make us officially a family of three?” he asks, sliding the ring on my finger because we both know I’d never say ‘no.’
I admire the ring for a moment, angling it to catch the early morning sunshine.
“Um... before I can answer that...” I say, gently setting the tray down at the foot of the bed. Daniel looks concerned for a moment, looking between Danny and me. I’m sure he didn’t expect that response. I retreat to the bathroom, dig in my drawer for what I need and return to the bedroom.
“Of course I’ll marry you. But we won’t be a family of three,” I say, a wobble in my voice as I hand him the pregnancy test.
Daniel holds it, staring at it silently as Danny leans in to read the two little lines. I’m sure she has no idea what they mean, but she doesn’t have to wait for long. Daniel springs to his feet, wraps his arms around my waist and hoists me in the air. I grip his shoulders for balance and laugh at his excitement.
When he sets me down finally, still holding me against him, he motions for Danny to join us. She stands on the bed on wobbly legs, so I scoop my arm under her butt and hoist her to my hip.
“What does that mean?” she asks finally.
Daniel simply takes her hand in his, flattens her palm, and brings both of their hands to rest on my still mostly flat stomach.
“That means Mommy is growing you a baby brother or sister,” Daniel answers, his voice full of awe and reverence.
“I just found out last night, but wanted to wait until I was sure. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to confirm, but I’ve been extra tired lately and my boobs hurt.”
“I’m going to be a big sister?” Danny asks.
I drop a kiss to her head. “Thebestbig sister.”
Daniel brings my hand to his mouth to kiss the ring. “And flower girl. Or maiden of honor. Which do you think?”
